Allow as How 
In Southern and Appalachian English, "allow as how" means to say, think, or suppose something - a fuller, older form of "allow" used for conjecture or speculation.
Allow as How
synonyms: reckon, figure, suppose, said, opined
Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Allowed as how' is one I haven't heard in a really long time, so I'm assuming it's an old timers thing. Hillbilly Dude Says...
'Allowed as how' is one I haven't heard in a really long time, so I'm assuming it's an old timers thing. Pronunciation
[UH-LOW AZ HOW] /əˈlaʊ əz haʊ/
Meaning & Usage
- To suppose or state that something is the case (phrase)
Elmer:
He allowed as how the weather would turn before nightfall.
He allowed as how the weather would turn before nightfall.
Estel:
Well, he might be right about that.
Well, he might be right about that.variations: allowed as how
★ This phrase is an even older form than "allow" alone, keeping alive a 17th-18th century English usage that survived in Appalachian and Southern speech. ★
Origin and Etymology
From older English "allow" meaning "admit or suppose" combined with "as how" - a Scots-Irish influenced pattern brought to Appalachia. Widely attested in 19th-century U.S. literature and still heard in some Southern communities today.
Usage Notes
- Often appears in storytelling or reminiscing - "He allowed as how""
- May also be written "allowed as how."
- Less common today but still recognizable as a Southern/Appalachian dialect form.
- Closely related to allow meaning "to think or suppose."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 27). Allow as How. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/allow-as-how
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "Allow as How." HillbillySlang.com, 27 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/allow-as-how.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "Allow as How." HillbillySlang.com. September 27, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/allow-as-how.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...